The Club

One thing that has been interesting through all this is you find out how big this exclusive "club" for bereaved parents really is. We received numerous cards from people we didn't know who had also lost children. It's this desire to reach out to others when you know the hurt they're going through to try to help and alleviate it in any way possible. I know I'll probably do the same from now on whenever I encounter another parent who has lost a child - and also any parents with a heart baby. There's something to be said for having someone there that knows what you're going through. Right after Payton's first surgery we called friends who also had a heart baby. They were probably the biggest encouragement and really helped calm us that first night after her first surgery. I remember hugging her when they came to visit, and it was almost a tangible feeling of sharing the load, someone else knowing what you were now carrying. It's been so encouraging to see the heart of people to just be there. We have such a great community around us that we're so grateful for.